Lipid Metabolism and Cancer

Abstract

Lipid metabolism is involved in the regulation of numerous cellular processes, such as cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, survival, apoptosis, inflammation, movement, membrane homeostasis, chemotherapy response, and drug resistance. Reprogramming of lipid metabolism is a typical feature of malignant tumors. In a variety of cancers, fat uptake, storage and fat production are up-regulated, which in turn promotes the rapid growth, invasion, and migration of tumors. This paper systematically summarizes the key signal transduction pathways and molecules of lipid metabolism regulating tumors, and the role of lipid metabolism in programmed cell death. In conclusion, understanding the potential molecular mechanism of lipid metabolism and the functions of different lipid molecules may facilitate elucidating the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of cancer in order to discover new potential targets for the development of effective antitumor drugs.

Orchestral role of lipid metabolic reprogramming in T-cell malignancy

“…The varying composition of cellular lipid content as well as those of membrane influence cellular physiology and imply pathological consequences ( 3 , 140 ). The rapidly dividing cells in malignant disorders need membranes as essential structural components ( 141 ). These varieties of lipid molecules have their structural advantages in providing physical strength and a distinctive assemblage of receptors and adhesion molecules ( 89 , 141 ).…”

“…The rapidly dividing cells in malignant disorders need membranes as essential structural components ( 141 ). These varieties of lipid molecules have their structural advantages in providing physical strength and a distinctive assemblage of receptors and adhesion molecules ( 89 , 141 ). The strength provides survival advantages to cancer cells to tolerate dynamic but otherwise hostile tumor microenvironments for other infiltrating cells ( 89 ).…”

“…The assortment of receptors and unique membrane proteins in lipid rafts triggers the critical signaling events favoring cancer progression ( 68 ). This structural component of the membrane, lipid rafts, is targetable for the therapy of cancer ( 68 , 141 ).…”

“…Therapy resistance is also governed, at least partially, by the composition of lipids in the membrane of cancer cells ( 140 , 141 , 148 ). The membrane rich in cholesterol and with a low level of oxidizable fatty acids is observed in drug-resistant cancer cells ( 25 , 148 ).…”

The utility of 3D models to study cholesterol in cancer: Insights and future perspectives

“…The additional hallmarks include avoiding destruction by the immune system, evasion of cell death, senescent cells, polymorphic microbiomes, non-mutational epigenetic reprogramming, unlocking phenotypic plasticity and lastly the ability to cause or allow genetic mutations that will contribute to genomic instability ( 4 ). Reprogramming of cholesterol metabolism is crucial to facilitating these hallmarks leading to increased cell proliferation, migration and invasion as well as drug resistance ( 5 ). Drug resistance is largely associated with the heterogeneity of cancer and its advanced capabilities to reprogram various signaling pathways in a highly efficient manner ( 6 ).…”